Varicose vein treatments

There are four main types of operations to treat varicose veins:

• Endovenous thermal ablation: Your surgeon will insert a catheter into your vein and apply heat (radio-frequency or laser energy) to close it off, preventing blood flow. Blood then flows through healthy veins.
• Sclerotherapy: Your surgeon will inject foam into your vein to close it. Blood is directed through healthy veins.
• Endoscopic perforator vein surgery: Using minimally invasive surgery, your surgeon will close the veins, either by clipping or by using heat to seal them.
• Vein ligation or stripping: Your surgeon or doctor will remove your vein through small cuts in your legs.

Your consultant will let you know what type of treatment is best for you, what's involved in the procedure and how to prepare. You may need to have a general anaesthetic for your procedure, so your consultant will let you know how long you should avoid eating and drinking beforehand.

Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you. You should arrange to have someone to take you home after your treatment.

Depending on what type of procedure you have, you may have to wear compression stockings for a week or so to help with blood flow in your legs. You may have some pain in your varicose veins for a couple of weeks after your treatment.

Your consultant will let you know what to expect and when you can get back to your usual routine. They'll also let you know what you can expect in terms of how your treated varicose veins might look in the weeks after your procedure.